Fiio's E5 headphone amplifier clearly admires Apple's iPod shuffle

Not that we haven't seen a headphone amp that's made for one of Apple's DAPs before, but Fiio's latest actually mimics the latest shuffle to sashay out of Cupertino's lair. The device reportedly puts out 150mW at 16-ohms with a rate distortion of <0.009% at 10mW. The rechargeable battery (which gets juiced via USB) is said to be good for around 20 hours of use, and while it's difficult to say exactly how awesome this thing is, the $20 price tag sure is tempting.

[Via SlashGear]

[AVG @ Nov 20th 2008 11:24AM]

It clearly admires sucking, too.

[OneLove @ Nov 20th 2008 11:28AM]

that's what she said?

[AVG @ Nov 20th 2008 11:43AM]

Eh. Not applicable.

[Homer @ Nov 20th 2008 12:04PM]

Are you an anti-virus?

[JonZ @ Nov 20th 2008 1:00PM]

Well AVG act as a virus lately.

[toxicpiano @ Nov 20th 2008 11:29AM]

Cupertino's lair: The appcave?

[Ayman @ Nov 20th 2008 11:31AM]

wow $20 small and affordable

quick questions though, what is its storage capacity? does it play all kinds of formats? does it fly?

[Oli D @ Nov 20th 2008 11:36AM]

nothing... its just an amplifier, just makes things loader with less distortion.

[Chuckles McGee @ Nov 20th 2008 11:33AM]

http://www.dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/30000/1000/900/31968/31968.strip.gif

Very appropriate.

[Lowest Ranked @ Nov 20th 2008 12:27PM]

Story of my life.

[Jeff @ Nov 20th 2008 3:40PM]

Mine too.

[maveric101 @ Nov 20th 2008 10:16PM]

@Lowest Ranked

586 comments since August 27? yeah, I can tell.

p.s. that's more of compliment.

[NoAndThen @ Nov 20th 2008 12:01PM]

it's really not hard to see how awesome this thing isn't. Pay attention : "150mW @16 ohms" and measuring harmonic distortion at 10mW certainly I'd not impressive.

If you want an awesome, inexpensive headphone amp that can double as an external I/o soundcard (USB) then get the bithead by headroom. Best amp in the price range.

But hey, if you want a "sweet" headphone amp for those "sweet" stock apple buds, this for you.

[eggothewaffle @ Nov 20th 2008 12:10PM]

Your condescension is dripping.

...I like it.

(no homo)

[phail @ Nov 20th 2008 7:37PM]

i like to draw smiley faces in the condensation of condescension on the window

[bvllets @ Nov 20th 2008 12:12PM]

Clearly running out of things to talk about here.

[Samboini @ Nov 20th 2008 12:24PM]

I see the markets are down again dear.

[ClieOS @ Nov 20th 2008 12:14PM]

Not that HeadRoom's Mobile Line isn't awesome, but the $100~160 price tag isn't really that much 'inexpensive' when you are comparing them to things that are 1/5 of their price. Of course, price/performance ratio is what really important here. In any case, I'll say 'try it before you bash it.'

[Bad Beaver @ Nov 20th 2008 1:56PM]

Does HeadRoom produce in China?

[tomaskn @ Nov 20th 2008 2:09PM]

greatings from another head-fier!

[Wolfticket @ Nov 20th 2008 3:13PM]

Headfi ruined my life :-)

[noyp @ Nov 20th 2008 7:29PM]

Exactly. And, if it lives up to the hype it's been getting, this should sell very well.

[Matthew Hilario @ Nov 20th 2008 1:16PM]

Fiio es muy Feo.

[Roger @ Nov 20th 2008 1:43PM]

Anyone who used the E3 should look up to the E5, the design might suck but it sure it value for money for an portable amp.

I will get one for sure.

[burmie @ Nov 20th 2008 2:23PM]

where can you get one?

[InfernoZeus @ Nov 20th 2008 2:25PM]

http://www.mp4nation.net will have them in stock once they become available.

[InfernoZeus @ Nov 20th 2008 2:24PM]

Check this link out for a video review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weh0JodQn_c

[devon @ Nov 20th 2008 2:52PM]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f105/fiio-amps-323979/
Here is a thread on head-fi on the e3, they seem pretty highly regarded for the price so this one might be worth looking at especially since it solves a few of the major problems the e3 had

[nhallstar007 @ Nov 20th 2008 4:19PM]

watch another lawsuit

[Mitchell McKenna @ Nov 20th 2008 5:14PM]

There's already all kinds of cheap "clip" mp3 players out. I got mine from futureshop for $20...
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10109414&catid=10205

[bootareen @ Nov 20th 2008 5:58PM]

ZOMG!!! I'm never reading this blog again! How dare they say this product copies Apple? How else can you design a small mp3 player without making it look like a rectangle? I'll patent the car so people can't make boxes on 4 wheels anymore!!!!

p.s. I mock those denying blatantly obvious copys of Apple's product.

[noyp @ Nov 20th 2008 7:26PM]

Well, it isn't an mp3 player, it connects to it and makes music sound better.

[Ty @ Nov 20th 2008 6:22PM]

I'm not sure I see the point. The idea behind a dedicated headphone amp for portable devices is to make up for the compromises in power circuitry design that mp3 player makers are forced into to achieve their slim size. Large input and reserve capacitors for better power buffering combined with sonically superior components is what allows a portable amp to actually improve upon sound quality (most noticeably in the bass department). Nobody would or should buy one just to make things louder. Most mp3 players get more than loud enough on their own afterall.

[shuffle till i die @ Nov 20th 2008 6:53PM]

who cares if it copies apple. it's obviously made to boost the output (which is my only gripe) of the other wise perfect and indestructible ipod shuffle. if any of you have ever dropped your players while jogging, getting out of your car, or getting up too fast with your ipod dangerously close to the edge of the table you know what i mean. next, magnetic headphones just like the apple macbook charger! do you think apple will sue?

[phail @ Nov 20th 2008 7:41PM]

"Not that we haven't seen a headphone amp that's made for one of Apple's DAPs before"

does this mean it's only for ipods or can i plug it into my sansa

[phail @ Nov 20th 2008 7:47PM]

nvm i should google more

[Aiyo @ Nov 21st 2008 12:53AM]

This would go great with my cup speakers! I'll take too

[Shane @ Nov 21st 2008 6:23PM]

I bought the FiiO E3 for $8 and have never regretted it. I have a setup in my truck so that I just plug my Zune in using the headphone jack and i can listen through the stereo. Some podcasts are so quiet that I can't hear them at all on the freeway. Got the E3 and haven't had that problem anymore.

[setsales4fails @ Nov 22nd 2008 10:38AM]

Cheesy. This is perfect for cheap kids that cant afford a real headphone amp.

[saintsto @ Nov 23rd 2008 11:42PM]

Let's all thank Mr. Internet rich man (setsails4fales) for pointing out the cost of this thing. If we're all nice to him maybe he'll buy us all said "real headphone amp." Douche.